MEDICUS FEBRUARY 2016

I N D U S T R I A L SNAPSHOTS

JOB CUTS

THE AMA WROTE to all metropolitan hospitals in November and December 2015 reminding them of their obligation to consult with and provide information to the AMA about the introduction of major changes likely to have significant effects on practitioners following government announcements about job cuts and a recruitment freeze. All hospitals have replied to the AMA letters and meetings have been held or scheduled. In discussions held to date, hospital managers have indicated they will attempt to secure budget savings without abolishing jobs. It is claimed that savings will be achieved in the first instance through improved rostering, reduced overtime and reviewing the need to backfill leave. The AMA is being advised that

changes will be identified following consultation with medical staff and that the recruitment freeze will not prevent the filling of positions provided the required process is complied with.

The AMA urges members to contact the industrial team at (08) 9273 3000 with any concerns about threats to jobs or changes being made without consultation. ■

2016 PUBLIC SECTOR SALARIES CLAIMS

FURTHER TO THE AMA (WA)’s article in the November edition of Medicus , the Association is in the final stages of preparing comprehensive claims for new agreements to replace the following: • Department of Health Medical Practitioners (Metropolitan Health Services) AMA Industrial Agreement 2013 • Department of Health Medical Practitioners (WA Country Health Services) AMA Industrial Agreement 2013 • Department of Health Medical Practitioners (Director General) AMA Industrial Agreement 2013 • Department of Health Medical Practitioners (Drug and Alcohol Office) AMA Industrial Agreement 2013

• Department of Health Medical Practitioners (Clinical Academics) AMA Industrial Agreement 2013. The claims are informed by the surveys sent to members in 2015, feedback from the Inter Hospital Liaison and the Doctors in Training Committees, and issues raised by members from time to time. The AMA expects to serve the claims on the Minister for Health by the end of February 2016. Negotiations are due to commence by 1 April 2016. The industrial team will post industrial updates on the website to keep members informed of progress throughout the negotiation process. Members who would like to discuss any issues they have in relation to the coming round of bargaining should contact the AMA (WA) industrial team on (08) 9273 3000. ■

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